James Forte, director of social responsibility at Big Five firm KPMG, received an MBE for services to services to community volunteering, joining HLB Kidsons’ head of charities and education group, James Aston, who was similarly recognised for his services to education.

A number of high-ranking civil servants received the prestigious tile of CB, companion, Order of the Bath, awarded for service of the highest order.

These included Timothy Flesher, deputy chairman of the Inland Revenue, Raymond McAfee, director of regional business services at HM Customs and Excise and Jonathan Spencer, director general, business competitiveness at the DTI.

The full list of awards given to people working within accounting and finance functions is: